The Other Things.

Axel was what they called a “natural-born” when it came to killing. He followed orders without batting an eye.

At least, that’s what his superiors always said.

When he told me stories of his military days, there was always a dark sadness behind his eyes. Being a natural-born was in his past, but it still haunted him to this day. It was something he no longer wanted to remember, but did.

“Being a retired natural-born is the worst,” he told me, picking at the plate of French fries between us. “Because I can’t forget, regardless of how hard I try.”